Zara's inspiring Toytown

May 4, 2007, 12:00 GMT

Britain\'s Zara Phillips, daughter of Princess Anne, celebrates her victory in the Single Eventing at the World Equestarian Games 2006 in Aachen, Germany, Sunday, 27 August 2006. EPA/Rolf Vennenbernd

Britain's Zara Phillips has named her horse Toytown as her "inspiration".

The 25-year-old royal - who holds the title of world and European three-day event champion with Toytown - revealed her horse's confidence inspires her.

She wrote in Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper: "Toytown - or 'Noddy' as we call him in the stables - is an exceptional horse.

"Physically, he is more powerful than he looks, and mentally, he is right up there with any previous international champions. Best of all, he loves competing and never seems to know the meaning of the word defeat.

"This is an inspiration to me."

Zara - who is dating rugby star Mike Tindall - confessed she could have done with Toytown by her side when she made her BBC Sports Personality of the Year acceptance speech.

She said: "Anyone who works with horses will say that it is essential to have a 50-50 partnership with the rider. I was pretty overwhelmed when I won the BBC Sports personality of the Year and froze when I had to speak. Toytown would never have frozen, I wish he could have been there with me."

The world champions are set to make their debut at the Badminton Horse Trials in Gloucestershire tomorrow (05.05.07).

However, Zara - the daughter of Princess Anne and her ex-husband Captain Mark Phillips - says she may have to pull out of the three-day event over fears for Toytown's well being.

She said: "We have a potential problem tomorrow. The hot, dry weather means the ground is unbelievably hard. We are weighing up the danger to Toytown - given his previous injuries - and whether we should run him.

"The officials are aware of this issue for all the horses and have watered the take-offs and landings but that may be too little too late. I hope not.

"I'll make the decision myself tomorrow morning, probably having asked Dad for his thoughts first."

(C) BANG Media International